Cincinnati’s music scene is full of workhorses. Every week, it seems, another band has garnered national attention, thanks to a riveting performance or a catchy new album.Hundreds of bands play local bars and clubs. But there are at least six acts you especially need to check out – they’re responsible for putting our city on the musical map.

Ill Poetic

Ill Poetic is a leading purveyor of rap and hip-hop in Cincinnati. Whether live band Queen City Soulrock or his group Definition backs him up, this solo artist works hard to promote his music – especially his latest release, “The World is Ours.”

(Ed. note: While Ill Poetic has moved out of town since this story originally ran, he still has a number of connections here.)

Bad Veins

Two guys. One reel-to-reel player. Bad Veins has intrigued audiences locally and nationally with its indie-pop songs and unconventional setup. Record labels have taken great interest
in Sebastien Schultz and Ben Davis – and it would be a surprise if the twentysomethings haven’t reveled in first-rate success by the end of 2008.

Eat Sugar

Many an iPod was rocked when Eat Sugar, an infant on the local music scene, released its self-titled, four-song EP. The band ignites clubs and bars with hyper electro songs, often layered with two fuzz keyboards and a fiery disco beat. Get ready to dance when you see them.

Kim Taylor

Performing Songwriter magazine considered Kim Taylor one of the best independent artists of 2007. She constantly tours the country, gracing stages with her disarming acoustic songs. Be sure
to check out her sophomore album, “I Feel like a Fading Light.”

500 Miles to Memphis

500 Miles to Memphis signed with Deep Elm Records last year. Perhaps, in part, because the band amazingly fuses country and punk, a sound appealing from the Queen City to southern Tennessee. You can hear how the band has crafted it on its debut album, “Sunshine in a Shotglass.”

Foxy Shazam

Foxy Shazam is a Cincinnati band that doesn’t often play in Cincinnati. But when it does, locals amass for one wild time. The band’s unremitting energy and spastic, indierock songs attracted hardcore label Ferret Music in 2007. “Introducing” debuted in January.